I certainly don't think any Christian country clubs should be tax exempt. I don't care who owns them.

Lance

Layman: By Christian country club, I'm talking about facilities such as a 5000 seat santuary, school facilities, rec facilities, all on primo real estate that if it were commercial property would generate a HEFTY tax.

None of this benefits me. None of this benefits the poor. Heck, there are folks who'd be intimated to even go INTO this place for all the Mercedes, Lexus, and Acuras in the parking lot.

Nickname of the church (its not Catholic, its a Methodist) is "Our Lady of Mercedes".

Thats what I'm talking about. And we have scads of the damn things here. And due to Kansas law, they are by and large tax exempt.

Hey Lance, we've got one of those here in
south Denver. The thing is huge. Multiple
buildings, thousands of members, all very
well to do. Right off the freeway.

And before it was the church? You guessed
it. It was a Lexus dealership! (The
sanctuary is in what used to be the garage).

Lance

Kosh: St. Lexus maybe?

What a boneheaded thread...

And what exactly does the SecWeb do with the money it receives from its members?

I'm sure the greater part of that money goes directly to the most efficient charity in the spirit of helping one's fellow man, right?

Or maybe they sock all that money away so that they can create an even more awesome website some 30 years down the road?

Grow up...

Ish

[This message has been edited by Ish (edited May 16, 2001).]

Lance

Ish: Is it "boneheaded" when a cult organization skims off my income to support its organization?

Damn straight, if there's anything I'm pissed about, its this. I don't give a rats ass what other folks believe as long as they keep it out of my face (be polite) and don't pick my pocket.

The cult of Christianity does neither.

First of all, my comments were directed at the premise of the thread, which is absurd in my opinion.

Second, I really can't talk specifically about Kansas because I have never lived there. However, it seems like a twisting of words to say that these Christian churches are "skimming" off your income. Even if it is true somehow, I doubt very sincerely that it is intentional.

I imagine those "rich churchgoers" people pay taxes too, and judging by the types of cars you say they drive, they probably pay a lot of money in taxes. They probably end up supporting more of that church than those around them that happen to complain about it. Just try turning it around and seeing it from their perspective for a change.

I'm neither for nor against those who are rich, however, I do wish they'd give more of their money to charities that make a difference rather than driving a Lexus.

However, if you came into a wad of money somehow would you buy nice things for yourself and family? Just human nature I imagine to want to do so. One last question, what percentage of your income do you give to worthy charities? (no need to answer, just for thought purposes)

If you don't give, or you don't give much, then I suggest you attempt to give regularly to some charity to help your fellow man. This is commendable for non-Christians as well as Christians, ya know?

Ish

Lance

Ish: I'm not condemning rich folks here. Usually most of them earn it, so I'm not bitching there.

And if they're stupid enough to give it to the church, hey...their money, not mine.

To put taxes in KS in perspective, all property (except exempt) is taxed by the government at some level of its FMV. This is primarily used to fund schools, et al in our state.

When you deliberately exempt large $$$ property, you have to do one of two things. Either increase the burden incrementally on the rest of the pool or cut your budget. Since government by and large doesn't cut budgets, that means the rest of us pay more for this exempt property.

I'm saying this property should not be exempt because it doesn't benefit all citizens of the state. Heck, it usually doesn't benefit anyone other than members of that particular sect of the cult. Since this doesn't happen, I'm paying higher property taxes due to these exempt properties.

I agree with your view on charity.

I understand what you're saying Lance, but I really don't think the burden on most people from the exemption of those churches amounts to all that much in the grand scheme of things.

As far as your comments about giving money to the church, well... I don't know what this particular church does with its money, but I know that the majority of the money I give to the church does benefit people (yes, even those not in church). This is more than likely one of the main reasons for the exemption of churches, because they do give a lot to the needs of the public in general.

You may disagree, but I've seen the giving and been apart of it in my church. I sincerely hope that you don't think the way you do of all churches. I believe the vast majority at least attempt do things for those in need around them.

Ish

BoneHead Thread? If only you knew how really ingorant you are for not understanding the concept to the next degree which I won't give away here, and how much money is off the table thanks to people like you. I just love an ignorant Christian, makes my whole day.